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NINETEEN MONTHS
A PRISONER OF WAR
^n tlic ^anbs of t^c Rebels
EXPERIENCE AT BELLE ISLE,
mmmi mmm and andersoni^ille:
SOME ITEMS WITH REFERENCE TO
CA_PT. ^Y1J^Z,
■^y
MAP OF THE ANDERSONVILLE PRISON CAMP,
CALLED CAMP SUMTER.
MILWAUKEE:
STARR .V: SON, PRINTERS, 312 AND .314 EAST WATER STREET.
1865.
1^1
AnkrsomlleTt
D Dl
on
at]
TunmsB.Uounds
Camp Sumter, Ga,
vm
CAP! WIRZ
^^ . " ^T i^c-^^ has |ieniiission until further orders
and return^S^-^^r?^^^^^
,3.
'/*"••
^'-y^'T^
viJid'g PrUou.
\^p
./^
Sentry I'lutl'oiiiis
Reb. Hotp.
(/mint firu/ ffm/^/tf rhwugh //(f/i/tfshy
Wm. C. Pitt,
A proflMWPF (!i)ir WaF Bi MflDnnltlhis all
BELLE ISLE, RICHMOND, DANVILLE
AND ANDERSONVILLE .
""B".
L*i
country, it so happoued that no rosistinL;; army was found and
consequent]}'' tliere was no fight.
The command reached the Chicauiauga battle field, late in tlie
night of Saturday the 20th. There had been pretty heavy
fighting that day, and the right wing, where Gren. Lytic imme-
diately after his arrival took position, was found in a somewhat
disorganized and confused condition. IsTo further battle was
considered as probable, for the reason that the preceeding day's
work had been very exhausting to both sides and that a recupe-
ration by repose would be necessary. Pnrthermore it was the
Sabbatli, a day of rest.
The killed and wounded had only been partially taken care
of, but about 9 A. M., the Rebels opened fire and the bloody
contest was at once inaugurated, the nuiin feature of which have
become familiar to all, and as the writers purpose or inclination
do not lead him to compile this bloody page in history, it is
omitted, and we pass on to the time of Anderson's capture, this
took place about noon on the same day.
As before remarked the right wing was found in some con-
fusion, this increased as the battle proceed, and Anderson and
others found themselves completely enveloped by the emeny
who were driving the Union forces — they were made prisoners.
Directly afterwards an Illinois Regiment made a furious attack
on that portion of the rebel lines in which Anderson was held
and drove the enemy back. It was at this iime that Anderson
gave the guard the slip, and concealed himself. This was only
an escape from the guard. The enemy fleeing and the Union
forces pursuing, passed him in his hiding place. The contest
was raging with such violence just then, that it was very difli-
cult to tell the position of friend or foe. A great many of the
rebels wore the U. S. blue uniform, which made the case more
embarrassing. The first thing to be thought of as soon as pru-
dence would allow, was to find the Union lines, and get into
14
them if ^ssible. This was a very difficult piece of business
for several reasons. Tlie woods were dense and the underbrush
formed a complete thicket. The position ot" no portion of either
army was known to Anderson, to add to the trouble he come on
the ground in the dark of the niij-ht, and when tlie conflict com-
raenced in the mornin'r he had not found his bearings. On
looking around he found a few ot his comrades in the same po-
sition as himself. All at their wits ends to know what to do
or which way to move. After a careful reconnoitering of the
position, and a full consultation as to what was to be done, they
started in the direction decided upon. TUiey had not gone far
before they came upon private Grunanger one of their com-
rades of the 24th, who was Avounded in the knee. He was as
anxious to get his regiment as they were, but could give them
no information as to the position of either friend or foe. His
Avound was so severe that he could not move a step, Anderson
and his friends took him up and carried him a half mile, when
it became apparent to all parties concerned that it was simply a
waste of stregth and time, they laid him down by a tree, built
him a fire and left him some water, they also told him that if
they were in the Union lines, and if it proved in the line of
possibilities they would send or l)ring him such relief as his
case demanded. They however soon found that they were
powerless to help either their wounded comrade or themselves.
They were like a ship at sea, without pilot or compass. In the
twilight of the evening in wandering about they came to a road
and met sokliers in blue carrying wounded men from the field.
Anderson at once suggested that they looked like rebels in the
disguise of the U. S. uniform. The sudden nieetino; was so
unexpected to both parties, each seemed a little confused. No one
seemed inclined to speak the first word. After a short pause
one of the men engaged in carrying the wounded broke silence
by enquiring of Anderson in a tone and manner not easily
misunderstood as follows; "I say stranger kin you tell me
15
where Bay's Ho spi till is?" Days' Hospital was an exclusive
rebel institution. That question decided at once that they were
rebels, and as they were armed, and our men were not, and
furthermore outnumbering our little band two to one. Ander-
son and his party ansAvered just as much as they chose and left
at once for the woods and bushes. Before they got out of the
liearing of the convcrsotion of their new made acquaintances,
they had the })leasure of hearing one of them remark. "Why
they look like Yanks."
Chapter IV.
JAMES S. ANDERSON FINALLY CAPTURED.
" Society, friendship and love,
Divinity bestowed upon man,
Oh ! had I the wings of a dove.
How soon would I taste you again.
My sorrows tlien might 1 assuage.
In the ways of religion and truth,
Might lean from the wisdom of age,
And be cheered by the sallies of youth."
After escaping as related in the preceeding chapter, it being,
after getting a sufficient distance from the rebels, quite dark,
the little party bivouacked without fire or any other conveni-
ence until daylight appeared. With daylight the party started
again on its tramp at random " the usual way," and they "met
by chance," Avhat I a brigade of Rebel Cavalry, who rode furi-
ously toward them, and the leader in a loud voice, cried out,
'' You d n Yankee, surrender." Thfc summons had to be
obeyed of course.
Here begins the troubles, experience and hardships of An-
derson. The first thing he had to encounter at the hands of
the chivalry, in the way of insult, followed his capture at once.
16
One of the chivalry, armed Avith a revolver rode up to him and
demanded, ''have you got any jack-knife;" the answer was
"yes." '' Let mo see it," demanded chivalry. Chivalry look-
ed at it, seemed to admire it, Avantod it, offered $10 in confede-
rate money, but did not make a trade. The only wonder is
that he did not put it into his pocket, but he did not, he handed
it back.
This specimen of mankind, who seemed to think he was emu-
lating Don Quixote or some other great lord, was a lad of six-
teen, or thereabouts, with a coon-skin cap on his head, and a
uniform on his body. to match. A vulgar little wretch who
would, in any well regulated city in the United States, be sent
to the Refonn School, or some worse place.
The Colonel commanding, had a negro on his horse behind
him which he had captured fi'om our side, and was carrj/iuf/ him
ahout in tli.at u)sc ut" desti-oyiiig the best Govcrmnent
that the SUM over shone upon so far at; history can enlighten
lis on that point, and also the one Avhich conferred upon him
those stupendous honors and responsibilities. AVhat was Gen.
Breckenridge doing Avhen our troops Avere passing their lines.
lie Avas issuing two days rations to his men, all consisting ol'
two pieces of sugar cane each being about one foot long. The
soldiers were in general ragged, barefooted and dirty. Gen.
Breckenridge Avould have been ashamed to march this awkward
unAvashed squad througli any respectable city or town in Chris-
tendom. Poor Breckenridge 3'our case cannot but call to re-
collection the immortal lines of Moore.
•'The harps that once tlivo Taia.s Walls,
The Saul of music Shed,
Now hangs as mute on Taras Wall
As if that Soul were flew
So sleeps the pride of former days,
So glory's thrill is oer
And hearts that once beat high witJi paiu.
Now feel that throb no more.
You are uoav a fugitive in a strange land, probably never to
return to that glorious country Avhich you so ingloriously desert-
ed, certainly never to indulge in those gay and festive scenes
which in former times gave you so much delight.
On Tuesday, the 22d of March, the prisoners were marched
to Tunnel Hill, there being about o,00() prisoners in all, in the
line of march. Where they Avere going, no one kncAv. At this
point. Col. West, of the 24th Wisconsin, Avas met, he Avas also
a prisoner.
Here an aggraviiting ein-iimstaiKH' urciirred. Orders had
been given to issue tAvo day's rations to each prisoner. The
rations were piled up in jjiain sight oi' the prisoners but befoi-e
tiiey were distributed, nutrching orders Avere given, and away
ihe prisoners marched Avith an ''aching void." and novation
to supply the deficiency.
18
This was not the end of the catastrophe. In going out of
tlie prison pen, in passing the gate the rubber blankets and can-
teens were, by orders from head-([uarters, taken from each pris-
oner as he passed the guard. Anderson's rubber was wrapped
tightly in his woolen blanket and escaped. Finding that his
canteen Avas in very great danger of seizure he took it from his
person, placed it upon the ground and a single Avell directed
stamp with his foot, placed the canteen beyond the hope of use-
fulness. When he got out of the reach of observation he gave
his rubber blanket to Col. West, because it was not customary
to take such things from officers.
When the prisoners were finally formed into line, the rebels
evidently wanted to impress the Yankees at parting with an ex-
agerated idea of their power, brought out the Georgia Militia,
armed with great wooden SAVords. The prisoners could not help
notwithstanding their exhausted condition, feeling slightly mirth-
ful, and by a fcAv Avell directed questions dispersed, in a fcAv
minutes, of this sjiccimen of chivalry.
On Thursday, the 22d day of September, the prisoners avoic
marched to Dalton and Avent into camp and drcAV rations — a
pint of flour, Avith nothing to cook it in, mixed it Avith Avater
and put it into the ashes to cook. When it Avas about half done
orders came to fall in and of course the prisoners cake Avas
dough.
The object of making the men fall in Avas simply to march
them through the town for exhibition. There Avas a large and
intelligent audience on hand of both sexes. They called out as
the prisoners passed — "you vandals," "you mis can't never
subjugate weones, etc., etc. After the exhibition was over,
the prisoners Avere marched back to camp again.
The next nun-ning they Avere taken to Atlanta about 100 miles
distant, when they arrived at about 4 P. ^NL, Wednesday, Sept.
23d, and were marched by a long route through the City. The
gaping crowd stared at them — but they had the good fortune to
19
get good camping ground. This was however accidental. It so
happened that the rehels had to quarter a large number of their
own deserters in the town at the same time. They had already-
got possession of the old vermin besieged quarters, and it was
dangerous to undertake to change matters under the circum-
stances, and thus it happened that our boys got their excellent
quarters.
The next day a reguhir detail of men was sent from the head
quarters of the rebels to take from the prisoners their woolen
blankets and jack-knives, they were marched through a narrow
gate, and each man halted and relieved of his blanket at once,
and then the hands of one of those authorized agents Avere
thrust into the pockets of the victims in search of jack knives
and other plunder. Col. West of the 24th Wisconsin witness-
ing the outrage vehemently remonstrated — a dirty looking con-
federate Captain, whose wearing apparel seemed to have been a
stranger to change for many months, and whose face and hands
indicated a "total abstinance " from water several Aveeks, called
out "you needn't talk, they serve you right, you uns robbed me
at Camp Chase, you took the shirt off my back." Anderson
was standing near, and promptly answered, "well then they gave
you a clean one in the place of it." This raised such a shout
among both rebels and union men that the dirty Captain left. —
The next night was very cold and the men suffered greatly. In
the morning at day light the prisoners drew five days rations
and started for the cars, bound to Richmond. At that time the
prisoners numbered about 4000, but only about 2000 Avent by
this train. Large number of people Avere on the ground to see
the Northern vandals on their arrival at the depot, and as they
had to Avait tAvo or three hours at, the depot, their curiosity had
that length of time for gratification.
While these precious secession specimens Avere gratifying
their curiosity, they did not themseh^es escape observation, and
it was found that in the sin of omission they were entitled to a
20
Dao-c ill history. Wlictlior it w.is ;ilso a sin of c-ommissiou di-
vines must decide .
Tavo trains of cars with wounded C(nifederate soldiers canif
to the depot and halted loni;- enough to receive humane attention
at least. There was no more attention paid to theni by tin'
"■apinf rebel crowd thnn as tliouuli thcv w<'i'e so many cattle.
No provision was oifered. no attention jiaid to their appeals
for water. None of the men who had ])ledoed with these sold-
iers their live;?, their fortunes, and their sacred honiu- to sus-
tain the rebellion went to their relief. This is a case which
might justify Olivei- (Toldsmiths expressed idea of friendship,
when he says.
And what is IVieudsliip but ;i iiuine,
A charm that lulls to sleep :
A shade that follows wealth aud liiiiic.
And leaves the wretch to weep.
Chapter V.
ON THE WAY TO RICHMOND AND BELLE ISLE.
A Pleasant Camping Ground — incidents— an encounter —
A FIGHT.
From Dalton after considerable delay the prisoners proceed-
ed in freight cars towards Richmond, the Capital of the Con-
federacy. They had by some means learned their destination,
the horrors of Libby prison of course was presented to their
views with a strong suspicion that they were to be the recipi-
ents of " Southern hospitality " in that celebrated institution.
In pursuing their journey reached Augusta, about 170 mlleB
from Dalton, at about 1 o'clock A. M., of the next day. At
Augusta, the prisoners Avere placed in the Baptist Ohiu-ch yard,
a beautiful piece of ground, tastefully laid out and ornamented
and shaded by the INlagnolia and other ornamental trees, some
hopes was indulged by a few of the enthusiastic that this might
•2i
be tilt' place <>t' their future abode until i'\eiiaii:^e take a huig lasting lonk or stai-e at the
ilreaded "'Yanks.'
After a feAv hours stay at Cohuubia, the pi'isuners were taken
by railroad to Chester, about 40 miles distant. A large num-
ber of people oauie out to see the Yanks, and among them a
very great many nabobs. Charleston at that time was being
bombarded, and the wealthy non-combattants congregated at
this point by some kiiul of instinct, perhaps, simply for the
reason, "that birds of a feather flock together.''
The next place i-eachcd was Charlotte, N. C, Avhich place
was reached about two o'clock in the morning, where the pris-
oners Avere allowed the privilege of renuiining until day light,
and then they proceeded to Salisbury, about 40 or 50 miles
This place contains one of the Regular Military prisons. From
Salisbury they proceeded to Greensboro wliere a slight incident
occured The people as usual along the route turned out to sec
what kind of a creature a "Y^ank" really appeared like. T'hey
had evidently been led to believe in one or two things that they
were frightful monsters, dangerous to approach without the pre-
caution of chaining them or placing them in secure cages or
else they were mean cowardly vandals. Of course in a small
place there must of necessity be two parties. One believed in
the idea that the Y''anks were ci^vards and the other that they
were not. In one thing they were ail agreed, and that was that
the Y^anks were placed in a, condition in which it would not he
dangerous to go and see them. They therefore went witli the
same feelings and emotions that people experience in going to a
menagarie. After getting on the ground and seeing that the
22
prisoners were simply men, and waiting a short time for their
nerves to get quieted, the valorous gentlemen who had expressed
the popular opinion that the "Yank" were cowards, began to
be abusive, calling the prisoners "Yanks," "vandals," cowards
&.C., interlarding their expressions with indecent slang and pro-
fanity. One of tliem wlio seeiiiod to be a leader, became so furi-
ous in his denunciations that he soon attracted general attention
Perceiving that he was the observed of all observers he became
more abusive and violent, and finally talked himself into cour-
age enough to approach the cars still uttering his denunciations?
against the Government and the Northern people. One of the
prisoners in tlie cars felt so outrageed at the language used by
this specimen of chiv^dry that he jumped from the car, passed
the guard in a twinking, and gave the bragadocia a sound
thrashing in less than two minutes, and then quietly returned
to his place in the car.
The guard finding that things might grow serious, went to
work and cleared the ground of all the brawlers and gazers. The
prisoners route from Greensboro, was through Raleigh and Wel-
don, arriving at Petersburg, September 30th, and were marched
through the town in the dark in order to prevent the prisoners
seeing or making an}- observations witli regard to the rebel for-
tifications. Aftei- getting out of town, they were placed on the
cars and went to Richmond, 22 miles, and the same day march-
ed to Belle Island. Bollr Island, by its name, might seem to
be a very pleasant place, and under some circumstances, in times
gone by, was, but the boys in Blue did not find it so ; that is,
the Western ones did not. They had no shelter. Their clothes
were very thin and scanty, and the weather was remarkably and
severel}'- cold. The prisoners had to walk all night to keep from
freezing. To add to the misery, the rations served out were
scanty and unwholesome. They consisted of one quarter loaf
of very poor bread, one ounce of what Avas called beef, but
vv'hich had a very small title to the name, a few buggy, goober
23
peas, and all this ready cooked in rebel style. And yet the
men were reduced to such an extremity, that they awaited with
impatience and anxiety their arrival and distribution. They
were cooked at a distance from the camp, and were brought there
by a steamer.
The vile trash which Avas to supply the ''aching void " of an
empty Stomach, was so longed for by the famished men, that no
vessel ever approached shore that was more cordially welcomed
than this conveyer of garbage was every morning by the half
famishedprisoners. In the early part of December the cold be-
came intense, and many prisoners froze to death. How many,
cannot be ascertained at present — but it is certain, that in one
night, six died by freezing.
RETURN TO RICHMOND.
Prison life there under Jeff. Davis' personal observa-
tion EVERY day. He could not help knowing the
condition of things occurring every day
''right under his nose" in his pre-
tended established Capitol.
On the fifth of March the prisoners were or ordered to fall
in. Such as could do so obeyed the order, and were marched
to Richmond, passing over Long bridge, which is from one
(juarter to one half Jiiile long. The line of inarch gave the men
a chance to soe Cattle Thunder to their left. Libby prison
which was on the right hand, and Pemberton prison, wliere they
turned the corner and went into what is called Smith's building,
formerly used as a tobacco warehouse. They were placed in
the third story.
There a man known by the name of little Ross or Jack of Clubs
came up to call tlte roll. If any of the men were tardy about
falling in he would scold in a loud voice, and kick and cuff them,
24
prett_y boon 1m> hccaiDr .-^i; odious that tlir ])rii3oners -would call
out en Jiiasse ou liLs making Win appearance '' Jack of Clubs,"
" Jack of Clubs," this at first made Iriui still more furious, but
in the end had the effect to make him a little more decent in his
deportment.
If any prisoner made his appearance at the Avindow, a sentry
would call out. ''Tuck your head in thar," and at the same
time blaze away witli Ids musket Avithout any regard as to whom
he would hit.
A little incident (!ccLired lieic which may be worthy of men-
tion — Frederick Reynor eing a line
around the inner face of the stockaeing owned by the rebel Sur-
geons, and were only hired to Turner l>y the term, and wheti
their owners did not want to use them for sporting purposes,
but at all times Turner Jiad a sufficient number to answer hia
tiendish purposes. Jilvery morning T'urner took his hounds and
patrolled around the camp, taking a circle of about two miles
47
from the camp for the purpose of finding a fresh track. If one
was found, the hounds immediately followed. The only escape
for the prisoner from being torn or mangled by the hounds was
to climb a tree, and then his case was not better, the whole de-
pending entirely upon the frame of mind that Mr. Turner might
be in upon his arrival for if he Avas irritated at the length of
time or trouble of catching the runaway, or for any other cause
he A\ould after the man descended, set the dogs on him and lot
them bite and tear the victim until his wrath was appeased, he
did not allow the hounds to kill the man for that reason that
when he delivered him alive he received thirty dollars " per
head."
On these excursions in tlie morning, Oapt. Wirz very fre-
(jucntly accompanied Turner, audit was remarkable that he did
80 when there was a pretty "sure thing" in finding game. Capt.
Wirz remained the same stern inflexible man, the same identi-
cal character during the whole time of his administration. He
rode the identical gray mare, and carried the same old revolvers
from beginining to end. When he had caught a fugitive he
never varied from his rule of putting him in the stocks. It
may be as well to describe the stocks that were used before pro-
ceeding any further. They Avere made of planks and so con-
structed that in the day time a man confined in them would be
compelled to stand all day, his neck being placed in a hole in two
planks just large enough to receive it. At night his legs Avere
placed each one through a hole similar to the one his neck had
been during. the day. At night the confined man had to remain
on his back, not being able to change his position. Just at this
point in writing of this narrative, the following was handed to
me. It is from the Daily Wisconsin of Milwaukee, and has the
stamp on its face of genuineness, the AVisconsin does not say
where it it came from, but as other printed statements have
been admitted in this work. Wirz, own statement, of course
could not in any sense of fairness be Omitted. His letter is as
follows :
48
WIR7/ ACCOUNT OK FilAISELF
AMtEii.-^nxviLLE, Ga., May 7, 1865.
It is ^vitl) LTi'cat reluctance that I addre;;.s you these lincy,
being i'ully aware how little time is left you to attend to such
matters as 1 now liavc the iionoi- to lay hot'ore you. 1 am a
native of Switzerland, and Avas before the war a citizen of
Louisiana, by profession a physician. Like hundreds and
thousands of others, I was carried aAvay by the nuilestrom of
excitement and joined tlie Srmthei-n aiMiiy. 1 was very seriously
wouiuled at the battle of the Seven I'ines near Richmond, Ya.,
and have nearly lost the use of my I'ia'ht aim. Unlit for field
duty, I Avas ordered to report to Brevet General John II.
AVinder,in chai'ge of Federal prisoners of war, who ordered me
to take charge of a prison in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
!My health failing me, I applied for a furlough and Avent to
Europe, from Avhence I returned in February, 18(34; I Avas then
ordered to report to the commandant of the military prison at
Andersonville, Ga., avIio assigned me to the command of the
interior of the prison. The duties I had to perform Avere
arduous and unpleasant, and am satisfied that no man can or
Avill blame me for things that happened here, and Avhich Avere
beyond my poAver to control. I do not think that I ought to be
held responsible for the shortness of rations, for the over-
croAvded state of the prison, Avhich Avas in itself a prolific source
of the fearful mortality, for the inadequate supplies of clothing,
Avant of shelter, tfcc, tSic; still I noAV bear the odium, and men
Avho Avere prisoners here seem disposed to Avreak their vengeance
upon me for what they have suffered, avIio Avas only the medium,
or, I may better say, the tool in the hands of my superiors
This is my condition; I am a man Avith a family; I lost all my
property Avhen the Federal army besieged Vicksburg; I have no
money at present to go any place, and even if I had I knoAV of
49
no place whcvc I could <^()\ uiy life is in danj^er, and 1 most
)-ospcctfully ask of 3'ou liclp and relief. If you will be so
generous as to give me some sort of a safe conduct, or what I
should greatly prefer a guard to protect myself and family
against violence, I. shall be thankful to you, and you may rest
assured that your protection will not be given to one who is
unworthy of it. My intention is to return with my family to
Europe as soon as I can make the arrangements. In the mean-
time, I have the honor. General, to remain, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, H. Y. WiRZ, Captain C.S. A.
Major Ueneral J. J I. Wilson, United States Army, com-
manding Macon, Georgia.
This letter atlmits the whole case of the suffering and is ai
sununed up in the single sentence of Capt. Wirz's letter
" I do not think that I ought to be held responsible for the
shortness of rations for the overcroAvded state of the prison
which was in itself a prolific source of fearful mortality for the
inadequate supplies of clothing, vrant of shelter, &c,, &c."
This sentence means and contains a very large amount of use-
ful information from a proper source. It is from the man in
charge of this channel house. It was indeed a fearful moretal-
ity. Thirteen thousand of our patriotic soldiers sleep their
last sleep in the trenches called the burying ground of this
modern Golgatha. The life of each one of these departed men
was of as much consequence to him as that of Jeff Davis is to
to him, or that of Capt. Wirz, is now to himself in this hour of
tribulation. Capt. Wirz does not inform who is responsible.
" Pouble, double toil and trouble.
" Five buni and cauldi-on bubble.''
Heretofore the men had been calculating how long they were
to live or rather how soon starvation would end their miseries,
when a new trouble arose. Detachments of additional prisoners
arrived every few days until the . number amounted to about
20,000 in the stockade before its enlargement. It at this time
50
contained about twenty-two acres. U now became a serious
c|uestion as to how soon they were to be suffocated. The crowd
was so great that it became impossible to call the roll. At least
7,000 or about one third of the whole number had no kind of
shelter, neither had they blankets. They slept in the streets or
wherever they could get a resting place. To add to the misery
in the already sufficiently bad state of things in June there was
about twenty-four days of incessant rain. Of course the dead
wagons liad plenty of business. They began their business
early in the morning and continued it generally nearly all day.
There was what w^as called a hospital on the outside, but
not one quarter of the exhausted sick and dying could get to it.
Every morning men were found dead in the crowded stockade,
and were carted off to their final resting place. It was now
with the men, a question as to whether they were doomed to
starvation by a slow process, or to die by suffocation in the
crowded pen. One or the other seemed inevitable sooner oi-
later. Vermin abounded to such an extent that they impregna-
ted the sand through the whole camj). The soil is one continu-
ed bed of sand. A person could take up a handful of sand and
place it in the sun on a shingle, and pretty soon the quantity
would be diminished by the creeping out of these pests. The
one making the experiment need not go to any particnlai- hieal-
ity, but could arrive at the same results in any portion uf the
pen. It was remarked before, that in June there Avere 24 days
rain. In this continued storm, a portion of the stockade at the
creek which passes through the pen, Avashed away, affording
(juite a chance of escape, but no one availed himself of it.
The reason was, every one was so weak, drenclied and emacia-
ted that there was no courage or ambition left. Abcut the first
day of July, the Stockade Avas enlarged to the dimensions rep-
resented on the map, bat prisoners still kept pouring in until
the number Avas swelled to thirty-tAvo thousand. So tiie case
Avas not made so much better as at first glance might be imagin-
51
cd. In filer, it every day d Inf., Oct. 5, 1864, scurvy.
10395 F Winchel, private, company 1), 17th Inf , Oct. 6, 1864, scurvy.
10427 P Hanes, private, company D, 10th Inf., Oct. G, 1864, scurvy.
10536 F Keane, Corporal, company E, 26th Inf., Oct. 8 1864, diarrhea.
10685 H Britton. Sergeant, company B, 15th Inf., Oct. 11, 1864, scurvy.
10691 11 Guuderson, Sergeant, company I, loth Inf, Oct. 11, 1864, scurvy.
10692 H Knowles, private, company D, 2l3t Inf., Oct. 11, 1864, diarrhea.
10752 C Ca.stle, private, company 0, 1st Cav., Oct. 12, 1864, scurvy.
10771 John Davis, private, company B, 1st Inf., Oct. 12, 1864, scurvy.
10830 P Adams, private, company A, 10th Inf., Oct. 13, 1864, scurvy.
10919 N Robinson, private, company I, 15th Inf., Oct. 14, 1864, scurvy.
11020 W Coburne, private, company A, 10th Inf., Oct. 16, 1864, scurvy.
11037 S M Smith, Corporal, company F. 21st Inf.. Oct. 17, 1864, scurvy.
11047 A D Sails, private, company K, 4th Cav.. Oct. 17, 1864, scurvy.
11088 F Chusterson, private, company E, 15th Inf., Oct. IS, 1864, hemorhage.
11284 AV H Johnson, private, company II, 6th Inf., Oct. 22, 1864, scurvy.
11236 D Thurber, Corp., company G, 36th Inf., Oct. 21, 1864, diarrhea
11323 H Worlfinger, private, company II, 12th Inf., Oct. 23, 1864, ecurvy.
11390 F Voele, Corp., company E, 10th Inf., Oct. 24, 1864, scurvy.
11420 E B Tyler, private, company F, 10th Inf., Oct. 24, 1864, scurvy.
11443 C Holenbeck, private, company A, 13th Inf, Oct. 25, 1864, scurvy.
11475 P Thorson, private, company G, 24th Inf., Oct. 26t, 1864, scurvy.
11492 E V McArthy, CorpL. company E, 13th Inf., Oct. 26th, scurvy.
11535 J Chamberlain, private, company I, 21st Inf., Oct. 27, scurvy.
11545 F Ochle, private, company E. 26lh Inf., Oct. 27, 1864, scurvy.
11610 L Batterson, private, company K, 10th Inf., Oct. 28th, 1864, diarrhea.
11687 P EUenger, private, company K, 21st Inf.. Oct. 31, 1864, chronic
diarrhea.
11734 M Bvitler, private, company K. 10th Inf., Nov. 2, 18G4, scurvy.
11744 W C Clark, private, company 0, 10th Inf., Nov. 2, 1864, scurvy.
11812 J Rattles, private, company D, 25th Inf., Nov. 4, 1864, scurvy.
11!)27 W Hanson, private, company B, 1st Inf., Nov. 8, 1864, scurvy,
11931 M Olston. private, corjpmy B, 15th Inf., Nov. 9, 1864, diarrhea.
11936 E Mulaskey, private, company B, 21st Inf., Nov. 9, 1864, scurvy.
12032 R Blakely, private, company P, 17th Inf., Nov 14, 1864, scurvy.
12111 M Whaleu, private, company B. 12th Inf., Nov. 24, 1864, dysentery.
12167 N Harris, private, company D, 12th Inf., Nov. 26, 1864, dysenteiy.
12233 B Richmond, Sergt., company L, 1st Cav., Dec. 6, 1864, dysentery.
12i4vJ P I) llnndall, private, company K, 1st Inf., Dec. 7, 1861, scurvy.
12288 II Enghert, private, company G, 36th Inf., Dec. 14, 1861, scurvy.
12468 G Hand, private, company D, 10th Inf., Jan. 16, 1864, gangrene.
12618 A Frost, private, company B, 7th Inf., Fcl) 8, 1864, gangrene.
12626 A Ycssan. private, company A. 24tli Inf., Feb. 10, 1864, scurvey.
12653 \V II Ferguson, private, company B, 24th Inf., 1864, diarrhea.
lo728 Antone, private, company D, 31st Inf., March 4, 1864, diarrhea.
12750 D r. David, private, company B, 25th Inf., March 8, 1864, gangrene.
A Denmarlv, private, company A, 1st Cav.
C. Merrill, private, company K, 4th Cav.
J Richlin, private, company D, 1st Cav., Dec. 26, 18B4, dysentery.
J Rice, private, company C, Ttli Inf.
J Harvey, private, company G, 1st Inf.
E S Hardy, Sergt., company E, 6th Inf., Feb. 4, lSt?4, diarrhea.
L !> Cook, private, company C, 2d Cavalry.
The foregoing list shows in the language of Capt. Wirz, "a
fearful mortality. It further shows that Wisconsin furnished
her full quota of Victims.
These men of Wisconsin were tortured to death. In man}'
cases in a manner too revolting to record. Who did this "deed
without a name." One i^erson intimately connected with the
management of aflfairs there, as before stated, declares that he
ought not to be held responsible, that he was a mere tool in the
hands of others. The investigation now going on will probably
develop the guilty parties.
The list of mortality of course does not show the full extent
of Wisconsin calamity. Many of the prisoners not enumer-
ated in the roll, (that being^ simply a list of the buried at Ander-
sonville) died before they reached liome. Many died pretty short-
ly after, many are now lingering out a miserable existence soon
to end, and a large majority are more less constitutionally
broken down. There is a fearful criminal responsibility resting
somewhere which of course must soon be brought to light. Wis-
consin in the name of her martyred sons will demand tliat the
guilty parties be ferretted otit and punifihed.
60
MORE ABOUT ANDERSONVILLE.
The i)risonei'S liad to resort to some occupation to pass a^vay
time, and it soon became necessary to establish some police
regulations for this large population. Characters of every grade
■were to be found. It finally became necessary to establish
courts of justice. In the way of occupation to pass away the
weary hours, the men employed themselves in making from the
beef bones, rings, toothpicks and trifles of ornament, all beino-
done with no other instrument than the jack-knife, these were
in great demand, the purchasers being confederates. A skillful
workman could supply himself with tobacco and sundry other
articles of necessity or convenience 1)y the manufacture of these
and other ornamental trinkets. There is an inborn disposition
in the American character to trade, traffic and grow rich, or fail
in the attempt. This characteristic, notwithstanding the for-
lorn condition of these unfortunates soon developed itself.
Markets were established, barter commenced and pretty soon
among these forlorn people quite a trade Avas established. It
must not be understood that the successful business operator
got rich in money. His highest ambition was to get an increased
supply of provisions. The highest success attained b}'' which
the successful industrious speculator Avas to get enough to live
upon .
The Northern Army has in its ranks men of all ranks, grades
and profession. The Anderson\'ille prisons Avere an illustra-
tion of this fact. If preaching Avas required a preacher Avas at
hand. If a laAvyer Avas Avanted more than could be retained
Avere instantly on hand.
This city of horrors had in its borders a fair representation
of all classes of people. The christian gentlemen Avas to be
found there, and from him doAvn through grades and shades of
character until pickpockets, thieves, robbers and murderers
01
wove included in the list of cli;ir;icters coiiiposiii_^ this coiumun-
ity.
The hist mentioned cliavacters followed their })Vofessions to
such an extent that they become objects of terror to the whole
community. They soon become designated and known by the
name of Raiders'. They seemed to act in combinati(m or sep-
arately as tlie case required. If any fellow prisoner was for-
tunate enough to save any valuable thing cither in money or
other personal property, these professionals seemed to find it
out almost by instinct. The possesor of any valuable article
was sure to become an object of interest to these precious scoun-
drels, and if he did not become a victim he might bless his own
good fortuate. These men were experts. They had evidently
plied their professions before entering the army. They manu-
factured instruments by which they could cut open a pocket
without detection. They could relieve a man of his valuables
in many cases without his knowledge while the victim was
asleep, and if he (the victim) was awakened by the operation
they knew how to silence him even if they had to go so far as
murder. Their operations were finally carried to such an ex-
tent that they became objects requiring same combined action
to relieve the camp of their depredation. These men were gen-
erally from large cities and at home would be known by the
name of "Roughs." They numbered from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred. When their conduct had become so noto-
riously outrageous that forbearances ceased to be a virtue, their
case was taken in hand by their fellow prisoners.
The facts as far as ascertainable were collected and presented
to Capt. AVirz who promptly arrested the culprits. A court
was at once formed with judge and jury, Avhich proceeded to
try them. It has been stated on good authority that tliis
court in point of ability would compare favorably with any other
court possessing or assuming the same powers.
About 40 men were on trial. The proceedings were all in
62
Regular form, and the case given the jury in the regular form.
Then the verdict -was given and the sentence followed. Some
were sentenced to wear the hall and chain for ninety days and
six were sentenced to hanged. The trial took place outside of
the stockade and lasted three or four days. The condemned
were in custody of Capt Wirz. When the time come for the
execution of the condemned, Oapt. Wirz brought them under
guard into the stockade and said, " Now poys you have tried
these men by a jury of your own men, and a schudge of your
own choosing, now you do schust what you please mit dem,
and iijjmediately left the grounds.
The result was that these men were shortly seen dangling
between heaven and cartli in accordance with the sentence of
the court.
MR. PITT'S RELATION TO THE WITNESS HOGAN
IN HIS TRIAL.
Pitt had the good fortune to be detailed as ward master in
the general hospital, which to some extent relieved him of his
miseries, and gave him opportunity to more minutely observe
the progress of matters and things.
Martin E. llogan, of Terre Haute, Indiana, of the oth New
York Cavalry, was chief steward. This brought him and Pitt
in daily contact, and made them acquaintanees and friends,
and when Hogan finally made his escape Pitt became his suc-
cessor in office.
The following testimony, which Hogan has given in the trial
of Wirz, will show his eifort to escape at that time, an*d with
some explanations of the case by Pitt will present Mr. Hogan
in the light of being a determined unflinching hero. His tes-
timony in the coui't is as follows:
Martin E. Hogan testifie■
MAP OF THE ANDERSONVILLE PRISON CAMP,
CALLED CAMP SUMTER.
Eiitf red !ii;coiUiiitc *" Act nf (Jun^rcss. in the year IStiJ. l>.r
WILLIAM C. PITT,
in the ClerU\ Office nf the District. Court of the United States, for the
District of Wisconsin.
A
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MILWAUKEE
STARR t SOS. P.1INTERS, 412 AND -U4 EAST WATER STEEBT.
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